Musical instrument.



No. 747,341. PATENTED DEC. 15, 1903. J C. DEAGAN. MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED we. 7, 1903. no MODEL. 2 sums-sum- 1.

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J. G. DEAGAN. MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 7, 1903.

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UNITED STATES Patented December 15, 1903.

JOHN CALHOUN DEAGAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 747,341, dated December 15, 1903.

Application filed August '7 1903. Serial No. 168,614. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN CALHOUN DEA- GAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Musical Instruments, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to musical instruments, and embraces improved features applicable to xylophones, orchestra-bells, and instruments of like nature.

One of the objects of my invention is the provision of means for separating sound-resonators, which preferably consists in interposing between the same plates or bodies of any suitable material. In practicing this feature of my invention I preferably employ dividing means in the form of partitions, said partitions being preferably carried separately from the bars and adapted to prevent the tones of one sound-bar from blending or interfering with the clear initial tones in the adjacent resonators. The length and position of said partitions with respect to the sound-bars maybe varied considerably. Said bars may be separated by short partitions extending opposite and slightly beyond the point of impact of the hammer; but the preferred embodiment of my invention is provided with partitions which separate or divide said bars musically and which extend on each side of each bar substantially throughout the loop between its nodal points.

Another object of my invention is the provision of resonators which are located in such positions with respect to the bars that in this feature of my invention are separately supported to best facilitate the collection of vsound-waves therefrom. Said resonators may be tubular in form and of varying length to suit the pitch of the bars with which they are associated. The upper ends of said tubes may be located opposite the reverse or under sides of said bars between their nodal points and directly opposite and generallysurrounding the points of impact of the playing-hammer. It will be obvious that when a simple tubular form of resonator unprovided with sound-collecting accessories is employed the sound-waves set up by said bars will not f ully find access to their tubes, as the outer portions of the bars will not usually be opposite to the mouths of such simple resonators. To obviate this difficulty, I have provided a funnel-shaped resonator or a resonator with a flaring mouth for each plate or bar of the instrument which subtends a greater length than its tubular portion of the resonator. I prefer to give to the flaring mouths of the resonators also the aforesaid function of preventing the blending of the tones of the bars in the adjacent resonators. To this end I preferably make the side Walls of the resonator-mouths flat and extend the same between the bars to enable said walls to act as partitions, preventing material lateral transfer of sound at the bars. The virtue of the partitions between between adjacent soundingbars of those instruments having tubular resonators beneath the bars will be readily appreciated, for not only are the-sounds prevented from blending at said bars, but the sound-waves from one bar are prevented from materially finding access to the resonators beneath adjacent bars, said sound-waves due to each bar being limited to the resonator of that bar, thereby greatly augmenting the sound due to such bar. This feature of the invention is of particular utility to prevent merger and blending of notes a half-tone apart. I prefer to have the partitions between the sounding-bars physically separate from said bars and desirably afiord fixed clearance-spaces between the bars and parti' tions. To this end I provide longitudinal supports, preferably stay-bars, that desirably snugly embrace the tubes between the same and which are inclosed at their ends in suit able supporting-frame parts. These bars are preferably secured very rigidly in place, so that the resonators will not be loose, thereby preventing the sound from being impaired, overtones being also eliminated.

I will explain my invention more fully by reference to the accompanying drawings, showing the preferred features thereof, in which Figure 1 is a perspective View of the instrument. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of a portion of the structure on line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 3 3 of Fig. 2

with bars and resonators removed. Fig. 4

is a view similar to Fig. 2 of the opposite frame member. Fig. 5 is a section on line 5 5 of Fig. 4:. Fig. 6 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 3, illustrating a sound-bar and its associated resonator. Fig. 7 is a plan View ofa part of the structure. Fig. 8 is a sectional view on line 8 8 of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view on line 9 9 of Fig. 7. Fig. 10 is a View similar to Fig. 7, showing a modified form of resonator. Fig. 11 isa sectional view on line 11 11 of Fig. 10.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the diiferent views.

A suitable stand 1 of a common form is provided, from which is preferably pivotally hung the supporting-frame 2 in the usual manner. A series of resonators 4, graduated in sympathy with the transversely-arranged sound-bars 3, is provided for each series of sound bars and is rigidly secured to said supporting-frame 2 adjacent to the series of sound-bars with which it is associated. I do not wish to be limited to a structure having duplicated or plural sets of bars and resonators. Partitions 5 areinterposed between the sound-bars 3, being desirably in the form of thin flat vertical extensions of the resonator-walls, forming, as shown in the preferred form, one partition on each side of each bar. Said partitions 5 desirably extend to a point slightly below the upper faces of the soundbars 3 and, as shown, are preferably made substantially coextensive with the loops between the nodes of said bars, as shown clearly in Figs. 6 and 7.

Each of the sound-bars 3 is provided with a resonator 4, which is preferably made funnel-shaped, with its flaring end located adjacent to the under or reverse side of its associated bar. The mouths of the resonators 4, like the partitions 5, are shown substantially coextensive with the loops between the nodes of the sound-bars 3, said mouths preferably extending latterly the entire width of the bar 3, providing the full volume of sound-waves with free and ready access to the resonators. I have shown in Figs. 10 and 11 a modification of the resonator just described consisting of a cylindric tube 6, desirably of uniform diameter throughout its length. The upper end of each tube is cut away on two sides thereof, leaving two symmetrically-arranged projecting parts 7, adapted to form partitions on either side of the corresponding soundbar. Said tubes 6 are preferablylocated midway of the nodes of the sound-bars 3, which position is generally opposite or directly under the points of impact of the playing-hammer. The partitions between the resonators musically separates and prevents transfer of sound-waves from one resonator to another. The tubes which issue from the apices of the funnels are arranged to project downwardly and are of varying length, being graduated to suit the pitch or register of the different bars, having greatest length for the bass notes and gradually decreasing in length toward the highest note of the treble. In instruments in which the range of tones from bass to treble is extensive the resonators at the high treble may be very considerably lessened in depth. Each resonator-tube throughout the series is secured at its extreme ends to longitudinal stay-bars 8 and 9. Thelower stay-bars 8 unite the tubes at their lower ends, while the upper stay-bars 9 unite the tubes near the upper ends, the bars 9 extending beyond said tubes a sufficient distance to form means for supporting the entire series. To this end each of the parallel members of the supporting-frame 2 is provided with vertically-arranged grooves on their inner faces. Said grooves are adapted to receive the projecting ends of said bars 9, in which they are rigidly secured. In order that the resonators 4 may be bodily removed from the supporting-frame2without disturbing thesoundbars 3, I provide means whereby the resonators may be disconnected and withdrawn from beneath said frame.

One of the members 11 on its inner face is provided with two vertically arranged grooves 12, which extend partially through its vertical width. The bottoms of said grooves 12 form shoulders or fixed supports on which the stay-bars 9 are supported. The opposite parallel member 13 is provided with two grooves 14., which extend throughout its vertical width, thereby permitting said staybars 9 when released to pass freely out of engagement with said grooves 14. The releasing means consists of a key 15, which operates in a horizontal groove 16, located in the same plane as the vertical grooves 14. When said key 15 is inserted, it lies directly in the path of the bars 9 and supports two ends of the same in their normal position, and when said key 15 is withdrawn the bars 9 are free to pass out of engagement with said grooves. Said key 15 is provided on its outer end with a bent portion to enable the operator to withdraw and insert the same with greater facility.

The modified forms of resonators 6 (shown in Figs. 10 and 11) are desirably supported in a manner similar to the construction just described.

The manner of supporting and releasing said resonators 4 will be obvious from the foregoing, and I will now describe the means whereby said resonators are firmly anchored to prevent the same from being jarred or vibrated by the impact of the playing-hammer on the vibrating plates. Each of the parallel members 11 and 13 of the supporting-frame 2 are provided with thumb-screw fastening means 17, which have screw-threaded engagement with suitable plates 18, preferably of metal and desirably secured on the upper margins of the end members 11 and 13 of said frame. The axes of said screws 17 are located in the same vertical plane as the grooves 12 and 14: of the supporting-frame and are above the same.

adapted to fit within the same and engage the upper edges of the stay-bars 8 and 9. Thus the bars are rigidly secured at one end between the horizontal key 15 and the screws 17 and at the opposite end between the shoulders of the grooves 12 and the corresponding screws 17. The construction above described forms a compact and efiective means of rigidly securing said resonators in place.

In the preferred and modified form of resonator a clearance is desirably provided between the sound-bars and their associated partitions and resonators, as the tonal quality of the sound-bars of either wood or metal would be greatly impaired by contact between their nodal points Wit-h their associated parts.

The longitudinal members of the supportingframe 2 are provided with retainingscrews 19, by means of which the sound-bars 3 are rigidly secured to said frame. The lower parts of said screws are embedded in the frame, and the reduced upper ends project Each sound-bar 3 is provided near one of its ends with an aperture, through which the projecting end or shank of the screw 19 passes, thereby securing said bar in a fixed lateral relation with respect to its adjacent bars and its subjacent resonator 4. A sleeve of suitable material surrounds the shank of said screw 19, and a washer is interposed between the thumb-nut 20 and the sound-bar 3, thereby preventing direct contact of the metal parts of said fastening devices with their respective sound-bars. The opposite end of said sound-bar 3 need not be provided with an aperture. The fastening devices on this member of the frame 2 may be located between the bars 3, one fastener engaging the upper faces of two sound-bars. This arrangement not only efiects a saving in constructing the instrument, but greatly facilitates the removal of the sound-bars when occasion requires.

It is obvious that changes may be made in the embodiment of the invention herein shown and described without departing from its spirit. I do not, therefore, wish to be limited to the precise form of the invention illustrated; but,

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, the following: 1

1. In a musical instrument, the combination with a plurality of sound-bars, of a plurality of resonators having funnel-shaped mouths adjacent to the bars and substantially subtending throughout the loops between the nodes, said resonators having vertical extensions forming partitions dividing said bars musically and substantially coextensive with the loops clearance intervening between the bars and partitions, substantially as described.

2. In a musical instrument, the combination with a plurality of sound-bars, of a plurality of resonators having funnel-shaped mouths adjacent to the bars, said resonators having vertical extensions forming partitions dividing said bars musically and substantially coextensive with the loops between the nodes clearance intervening between the bars and partitions, substantially as described.

3. In a musical instrument, the combination with a plurality of sound-bars, of a plurality of resonators having funnel-shaped mouths adjacent to the bars, said resonators having vertical extensions forming partitions dividing said bars musically, clearance int-ervening between the bars and partitions, substantially as described.

4. In a musical instrument, the combination with a plurality of sound-bars, of a plurality of resonators having funnel-shaped mouths adjacent to the bars, said resonators having vertical extensions forming partitions dividing said bars musically, substantially as described.

5. In a musical instrument, the combination with a plurality of sound-bars, of a plurality of resonators adjacent thereto the side walls thereof extending upwardly and forming partitions between said sound-bars to separate or divide said bars musically, substantially as described.

6. In a musical instrument, the combination with a plurality of sound-bars of partitions dividing or separating said bars musically, said partitions being substantially coextensive with the loops between the nodes of said bars.

7. In a musical instrument, the combination with a plurality of sound-bars, of partitions dividing or separating said bars musically, substantially as described.

8. In a musical instrument, the combination with a plurality of sound-bars, of a plurality of resonators, longitudinally-disposed staybars uniting said resonators, a supporting-frame provided in its opposite members with vertically-arranged grooves, said grooves passing throughout the vertical width of one member, a key located upon the latter member in the plane of said grooves and arranged transversely thereto said key forming a support for the stay-bars at one end; the other member of the frame being provided with grooves passing partially through the vertical width of said latter member the bottoms of the grooves forming a support for the stay-bars at their remaining ends, substantially as described.

9. In a musical instrument, the combination with a plurality of sound-bars 3, a plurality of resonators, longitudinally-disposed stay-bars uniting the resonators, a supporting-frame provided with grooved ends, the grooves in said ends engaging the bars whereby the bars and the resonators secured thereto are held in position, substantially as described.

10. In a musical instrument, the combination with a series of sounding-bars, of resonators therefor, a stay bar uniting said resonators, a frame supporting the bars and also the frame, whereby said frame and resonators are fixed, substantially as described. 12. In a musical instrument, the combination With a plurality of sound-bars, of a plurality of tubular resonators having flaring mouths over which mouths said bars lie, substantially as described.

In Witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 28th day of July, A. D. 1903.

JOHN CALHOUN DEAGAN. Witnesses:

GEORGE L. CRAGG, CARL H. CRAWFORD. 

